TMTA - Birds and Children

Today's challenge combines two themes...birds and children. I always dreamed of flying with the birdies when I was little so what better dream come true then to ride on a bluebird!

aMUSEme 6 x 6 Inchie Swap

The aMUSEme group has started a new inchie swap. Each person playing will be assigned a different partner each month. You have to send your partner six different inchies once a month for 6 months. There's no theme or rules other than the inchies all have to be different and some kind of embellishment must be on at least two of them. At the end of the first 6 months Marjie will award each of the players with an inchie book which she's designing to hold all of the inchies we've collected. Doesn't that sound like fun? Here's my group for this month.

Gothic Arches - Valentine

Ok...I'm hooked. I love the look of these gothic arches. The theme this week is "Valentine" and here's my entry. PS...thank you Lyneen for the buttons...they were just what I needed!

Oodles of Inchies!

Today was a wonderful inchie day. I received inchies from two swaps I participated in...and what sweet little works of art they are! The first group is from the monthly swap hosted by Joanne Wardle...you can check on the next swap at her site. Joanne made a beautiful card to house the inchies then she mounted them inside with a little square of chocolate (now eaten!) right in the middle. How fun!

The second group is from the Red Lead Paperworks swap. I love their stamps and they came out with a set of Valentine inchie stamps that are just precious! You can see some of them in this group.

Red Lead Valentine Swap

Well, I have several swaps that I'm working on right now. Today I've finished the ATC's for the Red Lead Paperworks Valentine swap. One down ...three to go! I love Red Lead stamps and the group is such a fun one. I went for a sweet feel...so many of the Red Lead images are sweet and nostalgic. I hope they like them!

TMTA - Cats

Today the theme at TMTA is cats. I love this image...it's from a vintage postcard. Now, do you think this kitty has an ulterior motive or is he just playing a sweet tune for his little birdie friends? You decide...

Gothic Arches

I've been meaning to try one of the Gothic Arches challenges but Sundays always seem to get away from me. Today I had some time to myself so I decided today would be the day! The theme this week is purple. Here is my first arch.

Belated Birthday RAK

I received this birthday RAK the other day from Rebecca Langsdorf from IFS-ATC group. It's called "Her Locked Heart."




Isn't it lovely? And aren't belated birthday treats such a surprise and so much fun? Today I still had some scraps on my desk left over from the sketch challenge from yesterday so I made Rebecca this RAK in return. I'm calling it "Timeless" since the clock has no hands. I hope she likes it!

Art From the Heart Giveaway

I was just looking at this book on Saturday and thinking to myself it must go on my wish list...and now the author...Catherine Matthews-Scanlon...is having a giveaway for two books! The book itself is beautiful and there are several projects I know I'd like to try. Take a look at her blog here and sign up for the giveaway!

TMTA - Geometry

The theme today on TMTA is Geometry. No we didn't have to do any proofs or actual math...ha! We were simply to use geometric shapes in our ATC. Here's mine...I've included some diamonds, a circle, a square and a little triangle hat. The background and the little girl are both images from Digital Collage Sheets.

Sketch Challenge Card

On Technique Junkies this week several people created cards in response to a sketch challenge from Technostamper. I've never tried making a card from a sketch but I was inspired by all the wonderful cards everyone was creating so I thought I'd give it a go. This paper is Basic Grey Recess and the images and sentiment are from Time to Stamp.

Valentine's Day Countdown

You know you love them! Get ready for another fun Valentine's Day countdown from Lisa Vollrath. She'll be generously sharing some more wonderful images starting on February first. Take a look here.

TMTA - Winter

Well, winter is the perfect theme on TMTA this week. We've had more wintry weather this year than I can remember in a long time. We even had snow on Christmas day! Here's my entry for the week. This stamp is from Red Lead Paperworks and I thought it would just be perfect.

A is for Acrobat

We're starting a new alphabet swap on the IFS-ATC group. I wasn't in the last one since I'd joined the group after it was already started so I'm excited to be in this one so I can swap a complete set. Here's my A is for Acrobat card. I can't wait to see what I'll get in return! This card will be sent to Beth Babcock. Now, what will B be for? Hmm....

4 Card Stud

On the aMUSEme group there's a swap each month that Marjie calls 4 card stud. Basically you make 4 ATC's and send them in by the end of the month and get 4 back. The theme this month is "vintage." I came across this image while looking at Cora's blog Paper Flowers. If you get a chance you should take a look...there's some wonderful artwork and Cora has generously shared some lovely images.

RAK back

I forgot to post the RAK back that I made today to send to Val. I love this stamp...I hope she likes it too.

RAKs

I received two fun RAK's this week from a gal in the InkyFunStampers ATCgroup...Val Roloff. It was my first RAK from someone in this group and I have to say it was such a treat! Not only did Val send me two ATC's, she packaged them in a little envelope that she made out of an old calendar page with two wonderful sheep on it! How did she know I love sheep?! Here are the cards along with the envelope...Thank you Val!

A new friend

Isn't this the most adorable face? This little gem of a card was given to me today by a new friend...Lyneen. It's such a fun story how we met. I posted a photo of my inchie tree back in December. Louise was kind enough to comment on it and show it to Lyneen. Lyneen then commented on it herself and lo and behold it turns out she works in the same small town I live in! After a few e-mails back and forth I find out she's part of a local ATC group that I've wanted to hook up with and she teaches some classes at my local scrapbook store! Well, today we met for lunch and I had the best time! Lyneen is so friendly and funny not to mention talented and I'm really looking forward to getting to know her. Ok...so don't you just love these cosmic coincidences? I've "met" so many talented and generous people online since I've started blogging and participating in some online groups and I've had such fun sharing my small art with people all over the world. But it's such a treat to actually get to meet one of these people in person! Fun, fun fun!

TMTA - Photo Stamp

The challenge this week at TMTA is to use a photo stamp and share what type of ink was used. This stamp is from Time to Stamp and I used a Memories Chalk-a-lots ink pad.

Valentine Inchies - Take 2

Here's the second set of Valentine inchies all ready to be sent away!

TMTA - Postage Stamps

Here's my entry for TMTA. The theme this week is postage stamps. I love this picture...this child is so sweet and if you look very closely I do believe there's a lamb on the cover of the book he's reading! I also got to use this huge alphabet background stamp I just found. For some reason this card just wouldn't scan well...no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of the glare on the upper left. Ah well....

Valentine Inchies

Well, I got started on my Valentine Inchies today. Here's the first batch...I've used a photo of my mom at 16. The photo is signed at the bottom "Love, Mary." Isn't she gorgeous? She's 82 now and still going strong! I love you Mumma...

Giveaway

Well, the last of our holiday company departed today. As much as I've enjoyed having a house full I think I'm ready for some quieter times. I'm off tomorrow and will have the house to myself so I plan on taking some time to update my blog and work on some upcoming swaps...I have inchies and ATC's to get going! But for tonight I'll leave you with this. Catiean is celebrating her birthday and her 75th blog post by having a giveaway. You can take a look here.

A happy New Year to all and happy birthday to me! It always surprises me when another birthday rolls around...I don't feel as if I'm getting older. I feel younger all the time actually especially now that I'm spending more time creatively. I can remember so well as a child spending afternoons making paper dolls, drawing or coloring. Lambie and I would have our coloring books spread on the floor and a pile of crayons between us and we would lay there on our stomachs coloring away and be happy for hours. Or we would make our own paper dolls and create outfits for every occasion. Lambie still has some of those very paper dolls! And isn't that really just what I'm having so much fun doing now? Every time I come to my desk and touch my papers, markers, stamps and paints I experience that same child-like joy I can remember so well. So, my wish for everyone for this new year of 2008 is that you embrace that joyful child inside of you. Be creative...in whatever way brings a smile to your heart and makes you feel ageless!

TMTA - Fireworks of color

Well, it's been a busy two weeks since I've last posted. I've been away from my computer and my crafting supplies much of the time during the Christmas holiday so I was happy to get back to creating things again. I've had a wonderful time having my mom and two of my sisters visiting but now I have some catching up to do with lots of photos...but I'll save that for tomorrow. The final TMTA challenge for the year is "Fireworks of Color." Here's my entry...since it's been such joyous holiday for me I had to add that word to my card. Happy New Year!

TMTA - Cross Stitch

Here's my ATC for TMTA. The theme this week is cross stitch. Cross stitching was one of the first crafts I took up years ago. I still have a sampler or two hanging and a few favorite pieces tucked away. It's been ages since I stitched anything...this was a fun theme.

4 x 4 Friday - Blue and Silver

Here's my go on the blue and silver theme for 4 x 4 Friday. I used some detail silver embossing powder on the stamped script that looks lovely in person but won't scan no matter what I do! Ah well...

Inchie Tree

Here's a picture of my inchie Christmas Tree. I've hung all the Christmas inchies from the PWA Christmas Inchie Swap as ornaments.

Countdown To Christmas

Here is another Christmas countdown with some lovely free images...take a look here. I love all the sharing at this time of year! Take a good look around the site...there's a wealth of good information, shopping and tutorials.

TMTA - Mosaic

Today's theme at TMTA is mosaic. Here's my card. I love this Teesha Moore stamp...it's one of my favorites.

Two new Swaps

Here are two cards I've sent in for recent swaps. The first one is for the PWA Perpetual Calendar Swap. We had to choose a month and then make 12 ATC's which will fit in a perpetual calendar. I chose September and a back to school theme. The second one is for the Red Lead Christmas Swap. I love their stamps! I also sent this one in for the aMUSEme 4 card stud Christmas swap. Hope they like them!

Paper Packets

Aren't these the cutest thing? This was the first class on the new aMUSEme group. I'm planning to make more to hold small gifties to put in everyone's stockings. What fun!

TMTA - Alice in Wonderland

Today's theme on TMTA is Alice in Wonderland. I love this book! I loved it as child myself and I loved reading it to my own kids. So, here's my card...the Queen of Hearts. Off with her head!

Best Card of the Month

I'm so thrilled and flabbergasted that my entries won best card of the month at Inkyfunstampers and InkyfunstampersATC groups! Both of them! Woohoo...what an honor to be chosen. So, for the rest of the month my cards will be on the home page of each site. I entered the Home ATC that I made for TMTA 2 weeks ago at the IFS-ATC group and I entered the the faux postage 4 x 4 turned into a card for the IFS group. Here's the card...I just added the 4 x 4 to some lovely cardstock. I'm really enjoying both of these groups...lots of great people and fun, quick swaps.

TMTA - Headwear

Here's my entry for the TMTA challenge...I call it Chicken Inspector #23. This week the theme is headwear. I've used this same photo in several different cards but I seem to keep going back to him...I just love his face!

Red Lead Christmas Tags

Here are the tags I made for the Red Lead Swap. I had so much fun making these. I love the Red Lead stamps and images. And it really got me in the Christmas spirit.

TMTA - Houses

Well, here we are...another Monday. I had to work today which is unusual for me...Monday is my normal day off. But I had to fill in on a mobile drive today. So, I didn't get to check the theme for TMTA this week until this evening. The theme this week is houses. The concept of house and home is one that's close to my heart. My home and making a home has always been so important to me. Here's my ATC...

Inkyfunstampers ATC Swaps

Here are two ATC's I've made for the IFS ATC group. The first one is for the Anything Goes swap. I love this stamp from Teesha Moore. The second is for the Harvest Swap. I used a portion of a vintage Thanksgiving postcard. I hope my partners like them.

Christmas Countdown

Lisa Vollrath is having another Christmas Countdown this year. She's generously offering a new Christmas image each day starting on December first. I'll be there...

Christmas Inchies

Well, I've finished my Christmas Inchies for the PWA swap. Now I just have to get them in the mail!

You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

What Holiday Food Are You?

Here is an ATC I made for the Inkyfunstampers group monthly challenge. The technique is called distress kissing. You ink up two stamps with contrasting distress ink colors, touch the stamps together then stamp on your paper. I used Ranger distress inks in mustard seed and fired brick and a harlequin and script stamp. Fun technique!

PWA Beaded matchboxes

The Weekly challenge on PWA is beaded matchboxes. Here are the two that I made.